Taken a wrong turn in life?
We can help you get back on track.

We've been there, we've turned our lives around,
and we continue to do it every day.
We invite you to come be part of the solution

HOW I TURNED MY LIFE AROUND
- Karen Justice-Guard, Founder

I am a former battered woman, drug addict, and welfare mom. Today I am a successful entrepreneur and visionary, committed to helping other women and their children.

I know first hand how hard it is to break free from the repeated cycles of victimization, dependency on men or drugs, and poverty. But I've discovered that it's not just about breaking free from a violent situation, or getting off of welfare. It's about how we deal with life and the way we think.

The key to turning my life around was for me to address not only the survival needs of myself and my children but also my thinking patterns so that the ongoing cycle of victimization and constant drama could be broken. All of the pain, the guilt, the shame, the denial, and the humiliation had to be released. Otherwise, I'd only attract more of the same.

Today, I am living a life I never thought was possible. I am a person I never thought I could be. Sure, every day has its new challenges and problems to be worked out. But now I am healthy. I can finally love, trust and enjoy my life.

I'm committed to the emotional empowerment and economic independence of women who truly desire to make positive changes in their lives. I offer to teach you all that I've learned, so that you too, may walk with dignity and self-respect in the world.

WORK ~ EARN ~ LIVE ~ LEARN

We are committed to the economic independence of the women who come to us for assistance. Therefore, we offer a 12-month transitional housing and job-training program through our WELL model (Work, Earn, Live & Learn) to help them build their work skills, life skills and gain real self-sufficiency. Upon completion of a training, we have a variety of employment opportunities waiting for their applications as we continue to mentor our graduates.

Your donations to Safe Havens for Little People will assist survivors of any form of abuse. The WELL model incorporates transitional employment opportunities for residents to develop work skills in the promotion and distribution of A Sister's Love products.

As of July 2004, Safe Havens has opened TWO transitional homes for these women. One home with children and one home without. At this time we are looking at several more homes to open in the very near future. Our goal is to have 12 homes within 12 month's. A place to live, employment and resources for the recovery that they want and need and that their families deserve.

Help us to help them. You can assist a person to step into a whole new reality from an individual in hopeless desperation to an action-oriented and capable human being.

Your support, in the form of donations, wholesale and retail product purchases, catering, and offering your skills and talents can help a these individuals take their first step towards becoming a whole person.

Safe Havens transitional homes	Our goal is to have 12 homes within 12 month's
Our newest transitional homes in Dumbarton and Eastgate

SAFE HAVENS ROLE MODEL FOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Self-sufficiency is our theme. Unlike most other non-profits which depend on outside funding sources for their existence, we produce our revenues independently through our own line of Safe Havens products including Little People bottled water, our own line of bottled gourmet sauces, aromatherapy candles and gift baskets for all occasions. We've also created numerous other income streams and businesses to fund the Safe Havens for Little People Products and Services venture. A Sister's Love Products and Services, Inc. which manufactures, produces, assembles and distributes our line of aromatherapy candles, lotions, soaps, oils and offers full service catering.

In addition, we invite businesses and corporations to be part of the solution. We form unique partnerships with businesses like Varian who have given Karen, our founder the opportunity to make her dream become a reality for the training programs.

EMPOWER YOURSELF

Safe Havens is committed to raising the consciousness and self-concept of all people through education, motivation and inspiration. We are also committed to your economic independence. Therefore, we offer 6 month to 1 year training's and internships to help you build your work skills and to enhance your job prospects! We also offer an accelerated 90-day program for women who need to quickly return to the work force.

INTERNSHIPS INCLUDE:

1) Retail Sales
Learn all the steps necessary to run your own store. You can also learn other aspects of running a store, such as how to take inventory and do marketing.

2) Catering - Learn all aspects of the lucrative catering business with A Sister's Love Catering. Involves catering box lunches to corporations as well as banquet training.

3) A Sister's Love E-Commerce Website
We set up a website for entrepreneurs, businesses, and corporations in which they can sell their own products via the Net. This is a home-based business, but does not involve multilevel marketing. We teach you the necessary sales strategies to bring in accounts.

4) Aroma Therapy- Learn the many aspects of creating and manufacturing aromatherapy candles, lotions and oils.

5) Learn how to Launch a Product - We teach you how to market and distribute numerous product lines including our extensive line of products. Learn what it takes to put a product out on the market and make it a success. Proceeds fund Safe Havens for Little People programs.

6) Operate a Unique Nursery Business with our Instant Curb Appeal or Take-Out Gardening program - If you desire to work with the earth or put more beauty in the world, this program will teach you how to work with flowers and also attract businesses which will hire you to beautify their store fronts.

 

Other internships, including corporate placement are in the works.
Feel free to check with us regarding our latest additions.

JOB PLACEMENT For those currently on welfare - while our training is provided to you at no cost, you will still receive your welfare or CALWORKS funding. We are endorsed by the Welfare-to-Work program.

Once you've been through one of our internships, we will help you find a job that furthers your skills and empowers you to greater financial freedom.

WE ALSO OFFER:

Licensed Professional Counseling including emotional, mental, physical, and nutritional support.

A 12 week, 12-Step Program of Recovery with an Alumni Group for those who wish to continue beyond the 12 weeks. While this is an entirely optional program, we strongly recommend it for those who are serious about turning their lives around.

Meditation for stress reduction and relaxation.

Dress for Success We provide career clothing appropriate for your internship as well as a complimentary hair styling to help you look your professional best.

Computer Lab (in progress) We will provide a fully functioning computer lab where you can learn computer skills. In addition, each of our group homes will have a computer lab.

HELP YOUR CHILDREN

When I was addicted and in an abusive relationship, it was my children who were harmed the most. Since I couldn't protect or care for myself, how could I really provide support for them? It is the children who continue to suffer in silence as the nightmare of abuse overshadows their lives. They are so pure. We steal their innocence. I wanted to show my children that I could be a better person and a better mother. I discovered that as a result of turning my life around, my children finally feel safe and secure. For once, their lives feel stable. Now I am a mom that they can be proud of. - Karen

WE OFFER:

• Top quality classes in parenting. Learn effective ways to set limits and discipline your children without the use of hitting.
• An on-site day care facility (in progress).
• Opportunities to intern in the day care facility for those who choose.
• Children's programs to address their emotional needs while you undergo your process of transformation.
• On-site afterschool tutoring for children.

• Women who have the sincere desire to better themselves and the lives of their children are eligible for our program.
• You must have 90 days of sobriety.
• If you have been in an abusive situation, you must have moved out of that situation. (If you are still experiencing abuse, please call the Battered Women's Alternative).
• Our program is open to all women who wish to turn their lives around, regardless of financial status or level of education.

TRANSPORTATION

The Safe Havens for Little People Resource Center is within walking distance of BART and also close to bus lines. In the near future, we will have our own van to transport your children from their school site to our on-site afterschool tutoring program.

LOCATION

The Safe Havens for Little People Resource Center and A Sister's Love Products & Services is located at 1800 Sutter St, Ste 840, Concord CA 94520.

Give us a call at (925) 695-5402!

Our motto: I Pledge Allegiance to the Earth on Which I Stand: One World, One People United, with Food, Shelter, and Justice for All.